Russell Wilson still could return to baseball

Posted on: June 30, 2011 1:28 pm

Edited on: June 30, 2011 1:43 pm

Posted by Chip Patterson

Earlier this week, former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson ended the long-awaited indecision regarding his immediate future by announcing his transfer to Wisconsin. Wilson chose the Badgers over Auburn and continuing his career with the Asheville Tourists, the Class A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

While some assumed that this may be the end of Wilson's baseball career, his time with the Rockies. according to Wilson's agent, may not be over after all.

"The Rockies have been incredibly understanding of how torn emotionally Russell is between baseball and football. He's not being disrespectful," agent Mark Rodgers told The Denver Post. "He's a 22-year-old kid who wants to keep his options open. The Rockies haven't closed the door on him coming back. And Russell has not closed the door."

Wilson did not have a fantastic start to his first season with the Tourists, batting .228 and only driving in 15 runs. He was second on the team in stolen bases (15), but it was not the kind of season expected from a fourth-round pick. If he chooses to stick with football, and does not return to the Rockies; he will have to forfeit "slightly less than 50 percent of his $200,000 signing bonus."

As Dennis Dodd pointed out, Wilson's arrival makes the Badgers the new Big Ten favorite. Wilson walks into a situation where he will be able to take advantage of the big stage to boost his professional football chances.

If Wilson can't impress scouts while playing for a Big Ten powerhouse, then heading back to the diamond might be his best move. Wilson has totaled up 93 touchdowns (passing and rushing) in his three-year career on the gridiron, and has stated his dream to play in both the NFL and in the major leagues.

The good news for the new Badgers signal-caller is that both doors are still open.

Russell Wilson still could return to baseball

If Wilson is batting .228, he's just "meat" filling out a position for players on their way up to practice against. This is the equivalent of being a "tomato can" in boxing or a "jobber" in "sports entertainment" like the WWE. He's probably better off in football. Also, some quick perusal of the stats of players who made it up to MLB might give him a pretty good wake-up call. He will realize that the odds are already stacked against him to the tune of about 100-1, just with one bad season.

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